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From Mary Kugler, R.N., for About.com

How do people die from swine flu?

Monday April 27, 2009
Flu may cause pneumonia to develop in the lungsThe current swine flu, what is actually killing the victims? - a Social Studies teacher in Tampa FL

There are several groups of people who are more likely to die from complications of the flu:

  • babies
  • elderly people
  • people who are already sick, especially with cancer, lung problems, heart disease, or immune system problems.
When healthy adults die of the flu, it is usually because it becomes pneumonia. It can develop about 5 days after the flu symptoms of fever, cough, and muscle aches start. There is swelling (inflammation) in the lungs, and the person has trouble breathing that gets worse and worse until they die. Taking antiviral medications within 48 hours of the flu symptoms starting can help reduce the symptoms but may not prevent the person from developing pneumonia. Photo © A.D.A.M.

Comments

April 29, 2009 at 7:51 pm
(1) Natalie says:

Ok, so what if you had swine flu, and then it developed into pneumonia, can they still treat the pneumonia after the fact? Or if it gets that far your days are limited?

April 29, 2009 at 10:12 pm
(2) Rare Diseases Guide says:

Yes, they can still treat the pneumonia, and people can still recover. However, if it gets that far (becomes pneumonia), you are a lot sicker than at the beginning, and it’s harder for you to fight it off and get better.

April 30, 2009 at 7:35 am
(3) Not Worried says:

So not everyone dies from Swine Flu then?
So why do they think so many people will die, is it a media hype. With hygiene being at a higher level than it used to in the past throughout western countries, surely it would be harder for the virus to cause death.
Also what if you are sick with the flu, are you more likely to die if u get Swine Flu, or would the body create better immunity towards it?

April 30, 2009 at 7:47 am
(4) Jason says:

So if i have already been diagnosed with the flu 4 months ago does that mean i’m more immune to it, because i’m scared as heck and i don’t want to die if i get it. It’s so scary to wake up and know if you go somewhere you may catch it. PLease reply!

April 30, 2009 at 11:16 am
(5) Xiomara says:

So, what if I think I have swine flu?
I started feeling ill 5 days ago, and now its getting really hard to breath. Am I going to die?

April 30, 2009 at 5:35 pm
(6) tami says:

go to the doctor if you can’t breathe

April 30, 2009 at 6:12 pm
(7) The truth says:

Yep dude, your gone. I’m actually surprised your not already dead.

April 30, 2009 at 7:39 pm
(8) Anonymous says:

I’m with “(3) Not Worried”. I just did a bunch of research trying to find out about how people die from the flu … I so hate the media. Fear=$$$$ And then you get Biden saying “DON’T GO ON PLANES!” Seriously? Cause you might get the flu? I’m 25. Last year my girlfriend (also 25) and I went to Mexico. She got pneumonia before we went and had it the whole time we were there. Guess what? She’s still alive! And even though I didn’t wear a surgical mask (like a paranoid idiot) I DIDN’T GET THE FLU, NOR PNEUMONIA. I’M ALSO ALIVE!

If you have kids, yeah, be careful. If you are old, yeah be careful. If you anyone else, continue as usual people. Washing yourself was something you should have been doing all along.

April 30, 2009 at 8:11 pm
(9) all the things that i say are tru!!!!!! says:

look no one nos who is going to die exept god and if your sick and have promblems before the flu u might die im not saying u r but im 10 years old and the had to shut down my school cause its rediculisssssssss!!!!! lol lol lol huhuhhuhuh im so pisssss look its all because the stupid pigssss blame it and ya you coulnd eat pig still but watch out and u not gonna die if its after 4 months maybe a comple of days but no u r good inshalla nothing happens!!! inshalla means in my religion everthing will be good maybe!!!! dont worry see yaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

April 30, 2009 at 8:16 pm
(10) yasmin says:

look nothing is going to happen

May 2, 2009 at 3:24 pm
(11) Don't worry says:

i think the media is blowing this out of proportion. We got to calm down and fight through this time and before you know it, the disease will be a thing of the past.

May 3, 2009 at 8:27 am
(12) Kareen says:

ive got a really bad flu for 2 days now and 2 days ago i was on the tube n about 5 people were coffing sneezing around me
could i get it ?
and im 15 ?

May 3, 2009 at 7:47 pm
(13) Panic says:

OMG WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BUT PRAY!

May 3, 2009 at 9:32 pm
(14) Paranoid! says:

i am getting paranoid. B IG TIME. i think i have swine flu because i hav the following symptoms – chills (not anmore), tired, feeling like throwing up

May 4, 2009 at 8:51 pm
(15) anonymous! says:

if u dont know u have the swine flu wat do u do/?

May 6, 2009 at 12:32 pm
(16) RKM says:

as a nurse involved in Nutritional Healing aspects of therapy:
OSCILLOCOCCINUM attacks Any symptoms of the flu (no matter what type) at the cellular level AS ZINC VIT C in large doses; SUPPORTS your ability to FIGHT it; without the possible side effects of the anti virals; ADD you can take these natural things WITH the ANTI VIRAls..
THE thing that seems to be “killing” the people is the RESPIRATORY SHUTTING DOWN totally in those that are dying. Whether this thing is manifesting different in one or the other who knows;I doubt they will tell us that or know except with autopsies; its most probable -its those whose bodies are already fighting something else-are just over whelmed by the whole thing; but if i felt respiratory things coming on or saw them in my kid I would be very concerned and hit the ER.
This bug-is more Asian since testing done at CDC; however-any type with these aspects, can MUTATE it isn’t the fact you build a tolerance to it now that matters Flu Bugs period can and do change fact we live in a environment that encourages the virus’s to do so to survive
Stay healthy-eat Your Veggies and Fruits
Wash Your Hands-STAY HOME when ILL -think about the newborn babies; the old Grannies; THOSE Fighting to survive-Cancer(s) ..be CONSIDERATE! Today more and more people push themselves when the BODY says I am WEAK STOP and REST or wear a mask so others will be safe!

May 6, 2009 at 1:57 pm
(17) leema says:

hi! um i have a question. hope i can get a decent answer for this. i have been having a runny nose since 2 days ago. i don’t have that anymore but i have some coughing. its not that bad plus most people in my high school seem to be sick due to the fact that this is allergy season. even my aunt is kind of coughing. i mean im not feeling bad or anything. i am feeling fine. i have no headaches or any aches. so you think i am ok or is something going on with me. i know i am over reacting but im curious………thankx for everything!

May 6, 2009 at 5:27 pm
(18) Rare Diseases Guide says:

Hi leema, the main symptoms for swine flu are fever, coughing, and muscle aches. You also have to have been around someone has been in Mexico recently and got sick with the flu. In all the media hype about it, they never really tell you what the symptoms are, or that you have to catch it from someone who is already sick.

May 6, 2009 at 10:13 pm
(19) John says:

As a teenager of age 15,do i have a good enough immune system to fight of the swine flu?
The reason is that I had sore throats for only 3 days,then it went away…
Now it seems that i have the flu,but im not sure i have the swine flu or not…

My symptoms: Coughing,Dazing out,runny nose,fever and dieraa

May 7, 2009 at 8:50 pm
(20) MIke says:

Yikes and I thought I’m the only one who’s paranoid! I am feeling sick now, feeling like i’m catching colds. Last week I met up with a friend who came from the US. I am having a hard time telling anyone i know (including family) that i feel sick, afraid that it might cause an unreasonable panic attack!

May 11, 2009 at 8:21 pm
(21) scared says:

ok ok so i live in california. in the bay area to be exact. i have been having a runny nose but today i woke up with a whole lot of sinus pressre and a sore throat in addition to my runny nose. but i wash my hands and everything!!!! use sanitizer and all about 1 week ago my cousins baby was sick. had a bad cough and runny nose and fever. i live with them could i have caught it??? from an 8 month old????

May 17, 2009 at 11:38 am
(22) Abby says:

I’ve had a sore throat and cough since Friday. My temperature is completely fine though so I don’t have a fever. Do you think I might have the flu? And if someone doesn’t go and get checked for it, will they die if they have it? I’m 16 and only people who are really young or old are more likely to die.

May 28, 2009 at 5:19 pm
(23) Gabe says:

AOh my goodness, I know the above comments were from a while ago-but this just goes to show how much fear is associated with a flu. This particular flu (H1N1) has around the same mortality rate as the seasonal flu. Unless it mutates, and your generally healthy you have very little to be concerned about. Over 10 people have died in the United States, and so far each one had underlying health conditions. Over 80% of people ending up in hospitals also have underlying health conditions. (Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity) The elderly need to be concerned, but most of the people getting the flu are under 50-showing that this flu hits the young. Anyone that is a healthy individual needs to drop all panic and anxiety, at once. Even if you aren’t the healthiest person, there is still no need to panic-seek medcial help as needed and follow instructions. This is no Bird Flu Pandemic (which has a 65% mortality rate,while this has a 0.02% mortality rate) COOL, CALM and COLLECTIVE!

June 15, 2009 at 1:18 am
(24) happy says:

I was sick last week. Sore throat, low grade fever, cough, awful headache. I went to my pcp and she tested me for strep throat. It came back negative. She told I had a virus and to go home and rest. Now my son is sick. He is 3 and a half and has been diagnosed with asthma. He has ear pain ,nasal congestion, sore throat, vomiting and diahrea, but no fever. What do u think? Swine flu or something else?

June 17, 2009 at 10:47 am
(25) pinky says:

i think you son has some type of flu you better have him since he is already sick with others promblems

June 19, 2009 at 2:11 am
(26) Worried Mom says:

What if you develope pnuemonia out of the blue. No other symptoms except fever and aches. Could this be swine flu?

June 20, 2009 at 9:51 pm
(27) UnhappyHobo says:

I Have a really bad cough, a soar throat and a runny nose, but I already had Hayfever, Do I Have Swine Flu!! Please Reply

June 29, 2009 at 2:16 pm
(28) Bitworried says:

I currently have pneumonia, which is being treated with antibiotics. Am I more at risk of getting swine flu/ human flu? And would it be more serious if i did?I

June 29, 2009 at 8:26 pm
(29) Loving Father says:

My son is five, it is summery, he has the symptoms. I don’t want to loose him.

Is it a painful death? Should I take away his pain before the damn disease does…………..

July 1, 2009 at 9:16 am
(30) gemma says:

OMG ‘Loving Parent’ thats an awful thing to say, your son wil be fine have faith.

July 10, 2009 at 7:17 am
(31) sam says:

how could I cacht it???

July 13, 2009 at 5:54 pm
(32) gasping for breath says:

Ok – the son came home with the flu and they put him on Tamaflu. I came down with it 2 days later and mine had turned into pneumonia immediately. They treated me with 10 day course of antibotics. When I was STILL sick, another course of antibotics – this time a 5 day Z-pack. 2 weeks later, I’m STILL sick, they test me for Type A swine, I’m positive (after 2 px’s) and put on another 5 day pack. It’s been 26 days and I’m still sick. Never been so sick in my life….I go back to the Dr’s day after tomorrow and about ready to tell them to put me in the hospital.

July 14, 2009 at 3:14 pm
(33) Terra Akins says:

My 1 yr. old son has had for three days now cough, fever, runny nose, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, rash (most likely from fever) his daycare has had 2 confirmed cases of “swine flu” I took him to the ER they tested for the “flu” that came back neg. but was told he has a very bad case of pneumonia, they did 3 neb treatments there one right after the other because his breathing(or lack of) was so bad. Now I have heard that there is a time frame in which you have to be tested in order for the “flu” to be detected??? Is this true and if so, with him having all of these symptoms and now being diagnosed with pneumonia, would this suggest that he may have “swine flu”? I have two other children at home so i’m worried about them getting sick also. What should I do?? Please respond.

July 14, 2009 at 3:17 pm
(34) Terra says:

Hello

July 14, 2009 at 6:49 pm
(35) Rare Diseases Guide says:

Hi Terra, Well, the doctors said your son tested negative for flu, so that means he does not have it. They said he has pneumonia, so you should make sure to take good care of him, give him all the antibiotics the doctor prescribed, and give him plenty of liquids and rest. If you wash your hands after you take care of him, and keep him home and away from your other two children, it will be less likely that other children (or you) will catch his pneumonia.

July 15, 2009 at 8:36 am
(36) Emma says:

I have swine flu I got dignosed with it yesterday I am takings the tablets for it and so far so good so not everyone dies off it just the people who don’t catch it quick enough it effects everyone not just people with ethnic backgrounds I’m in Newcastle and loads of people with different backgrounds are getting it.

July 16, 2009 at 4:20 pm
(37) cris says:

Emma,, tell us about your symptoms,, all i really want to know is about people experiences of swine flu.. I have aches and pain every where in my body, head ache, but no temperature,, could this be it?

July 20, 2009 at 8:22 am
(38) 1srk says:

i got prescribed with the tamiflu tablets, alot of my symptons have gone but i have a lot of muscle pain in my fingers,lower back neck and shoulders and my hand. i got the swine flu but it looks like im getting better,however i still feel a slight drowse and im not been able to concentrate properly.im 2 days into my course will update after the muscle pain dissappea if im still around.inshallah.

July 20, 2009 at 5:59 pm
(39) Oh dear! says:

i had a runny nose about 2 days ago, that went.
Now i have a cough , and slight dazeyness,
do i have the swine flu?

July 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm
(40) I Dunno.. says:

I have a question, its the second day i think i might have the swine flu, i have the following Symptoms: Runny/stuffy nose, cough, i had a fever day ago, i had a swore throat and neck muscle aches. So i think i have it… Help!
Please Anser My Question.. Thanks..

July 24, 2009 at 2:27 pm
(41) David says:

My wife has been in the hospitol ICU for over a week with the swine flu and pheumonia. She is on a ventilator and stable. A little better since the beginning but for the last couple of days no worse no better. Her name is Rebecca. Please pray for her.

July 25, 2009 at 11:57 am
(42) A Sanderson says:

I know a flu should never be underestimated but, isnt this with all flus? Isnt there always a flu out there that can be dangerous if left untreated and is even more dangerous to those with hardly any immunity (babies) and those with supressed immunities (sick and elderly)?

July 25, 2009 at 1:54 pm
(43) Brogan says:

Have I got swine flu I have a head ach I feal disey iv been sick I’m sweeting I have a bad throught and bad ears ?

July 28, 2009 at 12:33 pm
(44) Jami says:

If you think you have it, then go to the doctor.

I had a cough that started about a month ago but I thought it was just allergies. Eventually it got so bad that I had to go to the doctor and then tested positive for the flu. They have to send a sample to CDC to test it for the swine flu since it was the strand (a) that the swine flu is. They just gave me tamiflu and I’ve been taking that for the last 4 days and feel so much better. They also made everyone in my house get tamiflu, just to make sure they didn’t get sick. I think everyone is blowing this out of proportion… IF you feel sick, go to the doctor. They’ll give you medicine and in most situations you’ll be find. I had symptoms for a whole month before I finally went… And I’m still fine.

July 29, 2009 at 9:59 am
(45) anonymous!!! says:

i dont want to die!!!!
i am just 12…. and my school is about to start. and the country i am in has the highest mortality rate!!!

August 3, 2009 at 3:01 pm
(46) donna says:

im fourteen and im even paranoid because these virus’s travell so fast and i think im getting it coz i got all the symtoms and no one will believe me coz im only fourteen……HELP!

August 9, 2009 at 9:28 pm
(47) Do i Have Swine Flu? says:

I Think i have swine flu, im 15 and have got the folowing symptoms:
Coughing,aches,high temprature,sore throat,runny nose and flem.
do i have swine flu? :S

August 13, 2009 at 12:12 am
(48) Miss Positive says:

Dear All,,,my only suggestion would be to go to the doctor insead of sitting at home whinning on how bad your coughing or having a sore throat etc etc…pls get yourself checked by your local physician and he will be able to help you out..dont waste your time asking if you have swine flu on this site that have a bunch of people who themselves are asking for help

August 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm
(49) Gov-Check says:

This published in 2005. We are being manipulated. And I quote…
The CDC website states what has become commonly accepted and widely reported in the lay and scientific press: annually “about 36 000 [Americans] die from flu” (www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm) and “influenza/pneumonia” is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/331/7529/1412

August 19, 2009 at 2:41 pm
(50) PT says:

This past March, I went to bed feeling perfectly fine, and by 6:30 in the morning, I woke up feeling like I was DYING! Couldn’t breathe, was coughing up green stuff, fever was 103, body ached so badly I could barely move. I called my doctor at 8 and was in by 11. Given the fact that I have asthma she prescribed antibiotics due to the green stuff I was coughing up. I was off work and on the couch for 5 days with constant chils and sweating. Started to feel better on day 6, but the fever came back within two days. My doctor never tested me for H1N1, but I am convinced that is what it was, given the fact that I work at a gym where 75% of it’s members are hispanic. Does this now mean that I have some immunity. I am aware that flu viruses are constantly mutating, but it would seem to me that my immune system would recognize it.

August 24, 2009 at 5:43 pm
(51) Brooks says:

I’ve had the flu for the past 3 days… and I no longer have fever. However, I still have body aches, coughing, sore throat, and a headache.

Should I still stay home from classes?

August 30, 2009 at 12:31 am
(52) maria says:

its been 2 days already and i started with a stuffy nose, got rid of that. Now i just have a little cough, which was a lot worse the past day. Should i be worried about the swine flu. or is it just a common cold.

August 30, 2009 at 9:08 pm
(53) Scared 11 yr-old says:

I’m 11 years old… I have a sore throat, aching legs, and yesterday, my head started going crazy… I think I have swine flu; right now, I’m just praying I don’t. I’m checking with the doctor tomorrow and hopefully its negative… And if it’s positive, they better give me a helluva lotta Tamiflu to fix me! ..

September 1, 2009 at 10:16 pm
(54) Scared-lil-11yr-kid says:

Ok, so iv been tested postive for Swine flu, Im 11 um am i going to be ok? cause im really freaking out.Can i get rid of it?.Am i going to be ok?, how long does it take to get rid of it?.PLZ!! reply back i need a answer.

September 2, 2009 at 11:52 am
(55) tman says:

…WERE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!

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